Cabinet Committees: Role in Governance, Evolution, Functions, & Recent Reconstitution (2019)

To excel in competitive exams like the IAS, understanding Cabinet Committees is crucial. These committees are essential for the polity syllabus. Due to the large workload of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister forms smaller groups of 3-8 ministers, either permanently or temporarily, to delve deeper into policy matters. These groups, called Cabinet Committees, play a vital role in governance and policy-making.

Features and Evolution of Cabinet Committees in India’s Governance #

• The Cabinet Committee are institutional arrangements to reduce the workload of the Cabinet.
• They are Extra–Constitutional (Not mentioned in the constitution) in emergence. The Rules of Business dictate their establishment.
• In India, the executive operates under the GoI Transaction of Business Rules, 1961. These rules are derived from Article 77(3) of the Constitution, which specifies: “The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the GoI, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.”
• They are of two types committees –
  • Standing (Permanent)
  • Ad-Hoc (Temporary)
• The Prime Minister forms Standing Committees of the Cabinet and defines their specific functions.
  • He has the authority to increase or decrease the number of committees (e.g., added two committees in 2019).
  • Thus, their number, names, and composition can change over time.

• Their membership varies from three to eight. They usually include only Cabinet Ministers.
  • However, Non-cabinet Ministers can be members of these committees.
    
• Membership includes Ministers in charge of relevant subjects and other senior Ministers.
  
• The Prime Minister usually heads these committees, though occasionally the Home Minister or Finance Minister may serve as Chairman.
  
  • When the Prime Minister is a member of a committee, he always presides over it.
    
• These committees resolve issues, formulate proposals for Cabinet consideration, and make decisions..
  • However, the Cabinet can review their decisions.

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Significance of Cabinet Committees in Indian Politics #

• They are an organizational device to manage the Cabinet’s substantial workload.
• They enable thorough examination of policy issues and enhance coordination.
• They operate on principles of labor division and effective delegation.
• Committees facilitate efficient utilization of time and human resources.

LIST OF CABINET COMMITTEES AT PRESENT (2019) for Governance and Development #

Advantages and Impact of India’s Cabinet Committees #

• Saves the valuable time of cabinet
• Facilitate inter-governmental and inter-departmental coordination
• More effective deliberation due to smaller size
• It checks arbitrary actions by ministers.
• Cabinet committees are established to reduce the workload of the Cabinet Ministers.
• These committees facilitate deep examination of the policy issue and effective coordination.
• Such committees are based on the principle of division of labour – efficient utilization of human resource
• They help in safeguarding principle of collective responsibility
• It helps in facilitation of utilization of ministerial expertise.
• The number and nomenclature of cabinet committees is the prerogative of PM

FUNCTIONS OF CABINET COMMITTEE IN INDIAN GOVERNANCE #

CABINET COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENT

• Head of the Committee: Prime Minister
• This panel appoints the three service chiefs, the Director General of Military Operations, and the chiefs of all Air and Army Commands.
• Additionally, it makes appointments to other key positions–
  • Director General of Defence Intelligence Agency
  • Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister
    
  • Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services
  • Director General of Ordnance Factories
  • Director General of Defence Estates
  • Controller General of Defence Accounts
  • Director of Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
  • Solicitor-General
  • Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
  • Chairman and Members of the Railway Board
  • Chief Vigilance Officers in Public Sector Undertakings
  • Secretariat posts of and above the rank of Joint Secretary in the Central Government
• It also decides on all important empanelment and shifts of officers serving on Central deputation.

Role and Decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation in India #

• The committee is composed of cabinet ministers from various ministries, with one of them as the head.
• This establishes the guidelines or rules regarding the allocation of government accommodation.
• It also takes a call on the allotment of government accommodation to non-eligible persons and organizations and decides the rent to be charged from them.
• It can evaluate the allocation of accommodations from the General Pool to Members of Parliament.
  
• It can review proposals for relocating existing Central Government Offices to locations outside the capital. 

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Policy Trends with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs #

• Head of the Committee – Prime Minister
• This panel is responsible for reviewing economic trends, problems, and prospects.
  
• Its objective is to develop a consistent and integrated economic policy.
  
• The committee coordinates all activities requiring policy decisions at the highest level.
  
• It addresses the fixation of prices for agricultural produce and essential commodities.
  
• The committee evaluates proposals for investments exceeding Rs 1,000 crore.
  
• It handles industrial licensing policies.
  
• The committee reviews rural development and the Public Distribution System.
  
• It considers issues related to disinvestment.
  
• The committee deliberates and decides on matters pertaining to the World Trade Organization.

Role of Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs #

• Head of the Committee – Union Home Minister
• This body schedules Parliament sessions and monitors the progress of government business in Parliament.
  
• It reviews non-government business and decides which official Bills and resolutions will be presented.
  
• It examines legislations undertaken by State Legislatures from a national perspective.
  
• It considers proposals to convene or adjourn the Houses of Parliament.

India’s Political Decision-Making: Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs #

• Head of the Committee – Prime Minister
• Often referred to as the “Super Cabinet,” this committee is considered the most important of all.
  The Political Affairs Committee handles all policy matters related to domestic and foreign affairs.
• CCPA also deals with policy matters concerning foreign affairs that do not have external or internal security implications, as matters with such implications are required to be dealt with by the Cabinet committee on Security(CCS).
• To deal with problems relating to center-state relations.
• To consider economic and political issues which have to be judged with a wider perspective.
• After coming to power for the second time in May 2019, Shri Narendra Modi Govt. reconstituted the political affairs committee.

Functions of India’s Cabinet Committee on Security #

• Head of the Committee – Prime Minister
• Cabinet ministers of Finance, Defense, Home Affairs and External Affairs are its members.
• The Committee deals with issues relating to law and order, internal security and policy matters concerning foreign affairs with internal or external security implications.
• To consider all matters relating to atomic energy.
• Addresses economic and political aspects linked to national security.
  
• Reviews cases involving capital defense expenditures exceeding Rs 1,000 crore.
  
• Handles matters concerning the Department of Defence Production and Department of Defence Research and Development.
  
• Assesses Services Capital Acquisition plans and procurement schemes for security equipment.

Reconstitution of India’s Cabinet Committees in 2019 #

Recently in 2019, the central government has reconstituted eight key cabinet committees including creation of two new committees. 

Role and Initiatives of India’s Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth #

• Head of the Committee – Prime Minister
• The Cabinet Committee on Investment will identify essential projects needing implementation within specified timelines.
• This includes investments of Rs 1,000 crore or more, along with other critical projects as designated.
  
• It will set deadlines for ministries to provide necessary approvals and clearances in designated sectors.
  
• The committee will oversee the advancement of these projects to ensure timely progress.

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INDIA’S CABINET COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT #

• Head of the Committee – Prime Minister
• The Cabinet Committee on Employment and Skill Development provides guidance for all policies, programs, schemes, and initiatives aimed at enhancing workforce employability to meet the evolving needs of a rapidly growing economy and leveraging demographic advantages.
  
• Its focus includes increasing workforce participation, promoting employment growth, and bridging skill gaps across various sectors.
  
• The committee establishes targets for prompt implementation of skill development initiatives by ministries and conducts periodic reviews of progress.

Cabinet Committees: Evaluating Criticisms and Strengthening Governance Efficiency #

• Some of the time they are established on very trivial issues
• Junior ministers are rarely appointed
• Meetings are not held regularly
• Memberships depend more on political considerations.
• Involvement of the PM in every CC is not good.

Roles and Critiques of Cabinet Committees and Groups of Ministers (GoMs) #

• Apart from cabinet committees, various Groups of Ministers (GoMs) have been established to address diverse issues or subjects.
  
• Some of these GoMs are authorized to make decisions on behalf of the Cabinet, while others provide recommendations for Cabinet consideration.
  
• Over the past two decades, GoMs have proven to be effective tools for coordinating ministries.
  
• These ad hoc bodies are formed to advise the Cabinet on urgent matters and critical challenges.
  
• Ministers from relevant ministries are appointed to these GoMs, which are disbanded once their recommendations are finalized.

Second Administrative Reforms Commission on Cabinet Committees and Groups of Ministers #

• The Commission noted that the proliferation of GoMs has often prevented many from convening regularly, resulting in significant delays on important matters.
  
• The Commission suggested that a more targeted approach in utilizing GoMs could enhance coordination, especially if they are authorized to decide on behalf of the Cabinet within specified timeframes.
  
• It recommended that existing GoM coordination mechanisms should be optimized to facilitate early resolution of issues.
  
• A selective and focused approach in deploying GoMs, with clearly defined mandates and time limits, would be beneficial.